Disclaimer

There are significant dangers associated with both Open Water and Moving Water canoe outings.  Units undertaking a Scouting Adventure on either a large body of water or moving water need more than just the basic skills and knowledge required by the BSA to conduct such a trip safely.

Our Troop has several adults with extensive experience and professional training in watercraft use, sailing and whitewater.  If you are planning a Canoe trip and do not have an experienced adult leader able to assess flow rates, wind and "read water", you should reconsider a water outing until you have the proper resources and people to make your trip safe. 

We are happy to talk to you if you have questions. 

Oregon

Grande Ronde River

• Length: 39 river miles – 10 on Wallowa river 29 on Grande Ronde river

• Put In: Minam access (30 minutes north of Lagrande along Hwy 82)

• Take out: Powatka Bridge

• Gradient – 19 ft/mile

• River Flow – 650 to 800 cfs very low but runnable in kayak, IK or raft

• – Up to 10,000 cfs in the spring runnable in raft, kayak, IK or Canoe (with skills)

• Difficulty –class II at all levels, rocky and slow at low water, rolling waves at high water.

• Shuttles –  Minam Store $100 per car – minamraftrentals.com

• Group Size – Max 25 people

• Port-a-potty, fire pans and invasive species permits & PFD’s required

John Day River

• Length: 68 miles

• Put-in: Clarno

• Take-out: Cottonwood

• Gradient: 11 fpm

• Difficulty: Class II – III

• Season: April – June

• Rec. Level: 1,200 – 6,000 cfs

• Permits: BLM

Deschutes River

• Length: 10 miles

• Put-in: Harpham

• Take-out: Sandy Beach

• Gradient: 12 fpm

• Difficulty: Class II – III

• Near Camp Baldwin

• Used U-Boats in Maupin

Other Rivers and Lakes

• Trillium Lake

• Timothy Lake

• Waldo Lake

• Summit Lake

• Willamette River

• Willapa Bay

• John Day River